HELLO MY SWEET, SWEET BUBBLY GUMMY PURPLE UNICORNS!
You're making this whole writing experience thing FANTASTIC.
Chapter 8 got a thousand views in less than 24 hours. AMAZING OR WHAT!?
I am honestly beyond giddy. When I saw this I went completely and utterly bonkers with girly squeals of joys.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
I actually don't see many authors sharing the stats of their stories, but I personally wish to share them with you guys!
July (Starting the 9th):
5 061 views
1 931 visitors
August (up to now the 21th):
3 037 Views
1 073 Visitors
Total since the beginning:
8 098 Views
3 004 Visitors
Miiiiind bloooooown!
I felt like hugging my screen so bad when I did the math, but then realised it would look stupid and ridiculous.
SO I DID IT ANYWAYS...Which means if you were to also hug your screen it`s like we could be hugging :D
Okay I'll stop being creepy now... I WUV YOU LOTS. ALL OF YOU.
Happy reading~
CHAPTER 9: Break down
Mimi wasn't too impressed with her cousin keeping her in the dark to salvage her "innocence." It had been a rather heated discussion that followed Mimi's accusations and Bilbo wasn't too happy Fili had told her about the attacks.
He hadn't wanted to worry her... Not quite a success with his obvious lack of sleep, his too-pale-for-a-hobbit skin and thinning body. So Bilbo gave her the recollection of the attacks of the past few months, talked of Bolg's alliance of dark creatures and of their own possible one with the elves and men.
They hadn't heard news of the grey wizard in a while and they didn't know if that meant good news or bad news. To Mimi it meant she was stuck in Erebor for a good while, she knew her cousin and the wizard would never allow her to leave for the Shire until the growing danger was lifted. Her more pessimistic side talked about possibly a few years... she hoped not.
There was also the thing about the kiss; biggest mistake she ever made. She couldn't stop thinking about it! It's not like it was the first time their lips touched, but the fact that she kissed him seemed to have made all it all wrong. This time she was in control and she didn't know why, but it made it so different from before; the beard was still odd to her, but she hadn't expected the tingles or the slight jolt running through her nerve. It also lasted longer than she had planned, granted it was just a few seconds, but it was still a few too many and so, until she could make sense of it, she acted as if it never happened.
The wedding had been in midsummer and then Mimi had to endure the harsh mountain winter. She'd never been a fan of the cold, at least Dis had given her a warm leather coat to fight off the chill; it was rimmed with soft white rabbit's fur and was absolutely beautiful. She would wear it with reverence every time she stepped out of the castle, but the moment she was back inside she would once again steal Fili's coat. "A force of habit," she had once tried to convince herself.
When the snow melt and spring came to announce summer, Mimi was beyond giddy and perhaps it was the first sight of bees or the first tulips, but Marguerite felt like doing some shopping in Dale. And so, the first part of her day was spent chasing down the corridors of Erebor to find someone to accompany her. Having to be escorted was irritating, but she got used to it and she didn't really have a choice anyways.
To her disappointment her perfect day seemed to also be everyone else's: Oin and Gloin were on a family brunch; Bifur, Bofur and Bombur were trading in Laketown; the Ri brothers were on a diplomatic travel to the iron hills; Balin and Dis were with Bilbo and Thorin at a counsil's meeting; and the princes were on patrol.
Her only option left was Dwalin...
She really didn't feel like staying cooped up inside and had no hope of passing the guards at the gate without an escort (she knows, she tried), but asking Dwalin to go shopping? That one time he had asked her, when she wasn't aware of the situation, he had looked as if someone had speared him, repeatedly, while muttering the words. She really didn't want to impose on her trainer… but it was a very beautiful day…
So Mimi made her way to the forge where she was told the tattooed dwarf was occupying his time repairing some weapons. Marguerite peeked timidly into the forge, the temperature difference between the corridor and room was impressive, one moment it was chilly and the next scalding hot. The warrior dwarf was hammering on a badly twisted training sword, seemingly lost in his work; it gave Mimi a good heart attack when Dwalin addressed her without even raising his eyes to her.
"Yah shouldn't come in h're, too many ways yah can hurt yahself lass," mocked the taller dwarf, a small smirk etched on his lips.
"Haha, real funny, I'm not as clumsy as I used to be you know!" As if on cue, while raising her hands to plant on her hips in an indignant gesture, her elbow bumped into a table, sending a few tools to the ground. Mimi was beyond embarrassed. "That doesn't count!"
Dwalin's rough chuckle was her only answer before he started hammering the piece of metal again.
"I was actually *CLANG* to see if *CLANGCLANG* with me and go *CLANGCLANG* if you're not too busy.''
"What did yah say lass, I di'n't quite catch that"
With a huff Mimi repeated, "I said: I was actually here to see if you wanted to come with me and visit Dale if you're not too busy."
Dwalin simply raised an eyebrow at her and Mimi gave him a pleading look.
"Oh please Dwalin, you know I would only ask you if you're my last hope!"
There was a moment of silence with Marguerite using the kitten eyes and Dwalin seeming in a mental debate.
"Oh alright," sighed the gruff dwarf, cursing hobbits' cute faces.
"Really? Oh thank you Dwalin! I'll wait for you at the gate with the ponies!"
He hadn't even taken a breath that Marguerite had hugged him and ran out of the room with a happy squeal, making the dwarf shake his head with a fond small smile. No one in the company could ever tell her no, the girl had them wrapped around her tiny pinky and she didn't even seem to realize it.
It always amazed Dwalin how easy it was to make hobbits happy; a flower, food or a little handcrafted something — it never had to be much — and they were blinding you with a face-splitting smile. Especially the little adorable bugger, she was so genuinely surprised and glowing, him and the rest of the company truly couldn't help spoiling her.
Dwalin quickly finished the sword he was working on and tidied the forge before joining the little hobbit lass at the gates where she was waiting with the two ponies, cajoling them and 'discreetly' giving them apples. A few guards even made the road with them, a permanent escort for anyone leaving the castle, a precaution taken by Bilbo quite recently.
The road to Dale was mostly spent with Mimi talking about various things and Dwalin listening, barely saying a word; she didn't mind, she knew he was listening carefully and that the older dwarf just wasn't much of a talker.
By the time they reached the town, Mimi was almost bouncing of excitement, bolting off her pony when she caught sight of the first market stands. While she browsed around the tables, Dwalin followed resignedly, grunting an approval or rejection at some items she would show him for his opinion.
The warrior dwarf didn't fail to notice how quickly she would pass the jewel stands in favor of the crafts ones; hobbits were truly an odd race. He raised an eyebrow when he found her frozen in front of a metal and gems stand, eyes wide and glued to a rack of hair clasps.
"Thought yah didn't mind much for hair ornaments," asked Dwalin, he normally wouldn't have said anything, but the little Halfling had been standing there for a few minutes now and he wasn't a very patient dwarf.
"I don't . . . but it's just . . . doesn't it just screams 'Fili'?"
Dwalin looked at the one she was pointing and had to agree, the silver hair clasp 'screamed' Fili; a lion framed by runes (1).
"Aye… What of it then?"
"Well . . . I just thought . . . maybe . . . you know, buy it? But I don't know . . ."
Mimi just kept staring at it. If she bought it she wasn't so sure she would have the guts to give it to the prince and Kili would probably never let her live it down . . . but then again she could always gave it to Fili in private? Somehow the idea didn't seem any better. She would probably get nervous, stutter, blush and make a fool of herself in a matter of minutes.
There was also the fact she wasn't sure the dwarf deserved it with all his teasing and invasion of her privacy, but he did give her a necklace (which she cherished greatly) . . . It could be a thank-you gift… a very late thank you gift.
"The lad would appreciate it," quipped in Dwalin when he saw the growing uncertainty in her eyes as she stared in thought at the clasp 'More like cherish it like a holy gift from Mahal himself' then thought the dwarf with a smirk.
"You believe so?"
"I know so."
"Hmm . . ." She really didn't want to leave without buying it, it was just so perfect; the odds of finding another such brilliant token was almost void . . . She could always wait for a holiday to give it to him, it would raise less questions. Mimi most definitely didn't want to give him the wrong idea either. He had been beyond insufferable after she stupidly kissed him and he hardly shuts up anymore! To this day she wondered what came by her to do it, it had seemed like a good idea at the time; she obviously hadn't thought it through.
Not to mention it had been plaguing her mind ever since, her stomach getting an odd flutter at the memory. He was so warm, it seems to be her favorite word to describe the prince and it just fit him so perfectly; warm eyes, warm hands, warm smile and lips . . . warm Fili.
She mentally shook herself and tried to fight off the blush from her cheeks. Those were very wrong and very bad train of thoughts to have. Mimi could feel Dwalin getting impatient at her side so she made up her mind and purchased the clasp; if she decided not to give it to him she could always trade it — even though deep down she knew she could never get rid of the thing-.
It was late in the afternoon when they travelled back to Erebor and the road was quick, but the minute the gates were in view something felt off. It wasn't the two usual guards at the post and they looked a bit ruffled. It didn't take Dwalin long to jump off his pony and get a report from the two; one of the patrols was attacked. Once Mimi was rushed to safety inside the castle, the tattooed dwarf made a dash for the map room to get a hold on the situation and most likely to have his part in the fight.
On her side, the moment she was left alone Marguerite ran for the infirmary; she had the bad feeling they would need the extra help. She also tried to ignore the nagging feeling that it might be the princes' patrol that was attacked.
It seemed Oin's day was also cut short; the old dwarf was already in the infirmary among the other healers, all busy bandaging dwarves. The one he was currently tending had an arrow sticking out of his arm… a black, crooked, orc arrow. Mimi blanched at the amount of blood spilling out of the wound, but swallowed back her nausea and pinched herself to stay focused. Months of helping in the infirmary had helped her stop fainting at the first sight of an injury, but she still had some problems coping with it.
After two hours or so, she guessed the fight turned into a more serious battle, because more and more of their warriors were filling the beds, the lightly wounded going immediately back to fight the moment they were patched up. Soon they had to improvise cots, the beds all being presently occupied. Everything moved in a blur from then on, her brain had long fallen into a blank and following the routine of cleaning, sewing and bandaging.
At some point after midnight, Bilbo turned up with a nasty looking cut across his leg, apparently he and Thorin had joined the fight. Or more like Thorin had joined the fight and Bilbo sneaked into it after being told 'no' by his husband, but he refused to risk losing the three Durins once again. Marguerite vaguely heard him tell Oin the battle was mostly over and to a few more injured.
It had been hours since she had first stepped into the infirmary and all of it still felt unreal; seeing her 'proper and gentle' cousin covered in blood, Sting by his side and talking about the battle only deepened the feeling. As it turned out the cut wasn't too bad, his leg wouldn't suffer any permanent damage apart from a scar.
She had been so high on adrenaline the whole evening and time had fled by, but now she was getting tired. It didn't help that she's been biting back her gag reflexes the whole time from the foul smell of orcish blood, almost like rotten flesh.
Mimi thought she was doing just fine, considering she was completely exhausted, hungry and splattered with red and black blood. She must have looked worse than she thought because the moment Bilbo's eyes settled on her he blanched and had a look of mild horror on his face. She thought it a bit ironic: he was the one with a butchered leg and looking like he could frighten death itself with his pasty face and periodic grimaces of pain.
Marguerite knew he was about to call out to her, probably to fret over her, but she turned away to tend to a dwarf to her left. It was cowardly of her, but she didn't think she could handle it, not yet, she needed to hold on just for another little while.
And so the next hour was spent the same, the last injured dwarves being carried in. 'Still no sign of the princes' a little voice in the back of her mind piped in cruelly. The hair clasp, safely tucked in the pocket of her dress, seemed heavier than she remembered.
Bilbo was soon sent to his and Thorin's room to rest and Mimi was still busying herself left and right to help the healers, ignoring her cousin's frown as he went. She was so tired she had passed the stage of being drowsy and was wide awake instead, her conscience far within her own mind, her body on auto-pilot. Some healers and Oin had tried to sit her down, to make her stop even if just for a moment.
She wouldn't hear any of it; if they sat her down, she would get right back up the moment their backs were turned.
Finally when dawn cracked over the horizon the Durins made their entrance, Thorin going immediately to make sure of Bilbo's well being after being told where he was –and probably to give him a piece of his mind about sneaking off into battle- . Meanwhile Oin went to join the princes, who were eyeing worriedly their little Marguerite.
"I tried sitting the lass down a few times, but the moment I turned she was back to work. I've been expecting her to break down at any moment all night; it's clear she's not used to such sights or work, the poor girl." the old dwarf said with a tired shake of his head, sending the little hobbit a sad look.
"Has she rested or eaten anything?" asked Kili, slumping down a chair with a tired sigh. He'd been shooting arrows during most of the battle and his arms were killing him.
"Not that I'm aware of."
''She just looks so… vacant.''
''Been like that for hours lad''
"This is ridiculous, I'm ending this now," cut in Fili, marching Marguerite, his eyes taking in her lovely dress marred with blood, the dark rings under her eyes and her pale complexion.
When Dwalin had joined the fight, Fili was more than glad to hear that his little flower was safe in the castle, far from the gore. He then knew he could rest his worry and focus on the battle at hand. Now, knowing she had been here, witnessing it all of it instead of being safely in her room sleeping, as he thought she was, it made his blood boil. How could Oin even let her near the infirmary when he very well knew she wasn't suited for the task was beyond him!
If he had known he wouldn't have stopped by his room to change and bathe after the fight, he would have come straight to the infirmary. Then again, he would have been just as bloody as she, not a sight he wishes her to see him. He supposes he shouldn't be too surprised to find her here; hobbits seemed to have a tendency to be selfless when it comes to helping those they care about.
With that in mind, Fili unceremoniously picked up his hobbit and ignored the weak, surprised protests of his 'package'. It was only when he reached Mimi's room that he let her back down on her fuzzy feet and wordlessly gave her a gentle push towards her bathroom.
Once inside he filled a basin with warm water and, with a towel, managed to clean the blood off her arms and face. Her silence during it all was all the more worrying. He went to fetch her nightdress, which she obediently took from him and he left her in the bathroom to change.
When she came out after a short moment, sniffling and teary eyed, Fili's heart felt like it had just been punched: she looked so lost and fragile. He crossed the room just in time to bury her in a tight embrace before her body was wracked with sobs, hiding her face in the crook of his neck and shaking like a leaf.
He didn't know how long they stood there, clinging to each other while Fili rubbed soothing circles on Mimi's back as she took deep breaths, trying to tone down her sobs to miserable sniffles.
"Shh, it's alright, it's over now; you were great, you did great . . . hush now my love, it's over", murmured the blond prince against her honey curls. Her reply was muffled by his coat and he had to ask her to repeat with a confused look.
She raised her head. "I — I said I'm s — sorry"
Fili frowned down at her, wiping off her remaining tears with his thumb. "For what, you did nothing wrong . . ."
"Bec -cause I'm a mess even t-though I didn't even f-fight and I'm not . . . I can't-" the end of her sentence was lost as her eyes filled once more with tears, which she angrily wiped off herself this time. "Look at me! I'm not l-like dwarves; I'm not brave or strong or anything . . . And I've been fooling myself thinking I could belong like Bilbo . . ."
"Hey now, what's all that about? You've just spent hours patching and sewing up bloody wounds even though you normally have a hard time cleaning a scrape. It's true you didn't fight — thank Mahal you didn't have to — but you helped save the dwarves who did. That you're upset only shows you care. You belong here with us as much as Bilbo and the whole company would agree." said Fili, cupping her face in his hands to make her look at him and show her how serious he was.
Mimi couldn't help but blush a bit at the praise, giving Fili a tentative smile.
"Now it's time to hop into bed, but maybe freshen up a bit better before doing so, you look terrible", joked the dwarven prince, pushing his grumbling hobbit her once again toward the bathroom. He then went to lie on her bed with a grunt while he waited while his little flower got changed; it had been a long and rough day. Once his stiff back settled against the soft pillows, Fili let out a content sigh.
In the bathroom, Mimi caught a glimpse in the mirror and couldn't help but wince at her puffy red eyes, dark rings, red nose and pasty face; she did look terrible. She blew her nose and proceeded to 'freshen up' as Fili oh so kindly suggested.
When she came out looking a little bit more 'proper', she looked down at the hair clasp in her hands; Fili had more than definitely earned the gift after tonight and she felt a bit shameful for doubting giving it to him. He might be an ass sometimes, but he did always look out for her.
Raising her eyes to the room it took her only a second to focus them on the prince fast asleep on her bed... She contemplated waking him up, but he honestly looked far too comfortable as he was lying on his back, an arm bent under his head and the other on his stomach, snoring lightly and happily.
So where did that left her? She could always sleep on the small couch by the fire, but she really wanted her bed and it would be far more comfortable than the sofa.
The bed was pretty big… huge actually and the prince was on the far right of it, so surely if she took the opposite side they wouldn't be even near touching. Plus, he would be over the blankets while she was under them, nothing improper there… right?
She debated her options for a few more seconds and in the end her fatigue convinced her she couldn't care less about anything proper or respectable; she was tired and wanted to sleep. Her bed was calling her and to hell if the prince had beaten her to it.
Before slipping under the blankets Mimi rid Fili of his belt, boots and arm braces; she doubted it would be very comfortable to sleep in. She put his accessories on the bed table and after a moment of hesitation added the hair clasp neatly on top of the pile. There he would surely find it.
Finally getting in bed, Mimi's every muscle tensed against the soft mattress and took a moment to relax into a boneless heap. Turning to her side, facing towards the sleeping prince, she couldn't help but lean in to his side and lay a little kiss upon his cheek before settling back to her spot with a soft smile for the clearly beaten prince. No matter how annoying Fili could be, she could always count on him.
She soon fell asleep after that, her mind fuzzy with fatigue and lulled by light snoring of the prince.
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